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Only in Delaware: Coyotes lose member of invasion force

A motion-activated camera caught this Eastern coyote eating at a bait station in New Castle County in February 2010.(Photo: Delaware Nature Society)

One.

That's how many coyotes Delaware hunters reported killing during the state's new coyote hunting and trapping seasons.

The unlucky coyote, a male, was killed by a deer hunter Jan. 23 in the Hockessin area.

Well that is quite the balloon burst after all the debate about coyotes crossing state lines to invade the First State and kill all our deer and livestock.

"Having only one harvested coyote reported during the new coyote hunting and trapping seasons was a bit of a surprise," said David Saveikis, director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife. "It is unclear if the lone coyote harvested is indicative of coyote population size, the partial hunting and trapping seasons or a lack of awareness of the harvest reporting requirement."

It is possible more were killed and not reported. So if you happened to kill a coyote, please call the Division of Fish and Wildlife and let them know. How else are they going to keep track of how the war against the invasion is going?

And for those of you who missed your chance at bagging one of the wily, non-native invaders, don't worry. You'll get another chance this year. The full annual coyote hunting season will be from Sept. 1 through Feb. 28 (or 29) and trapping season from Dec. 1 through March 10.

Can't wait until then? Well hey, if one is threatening to use some lethal product from the ACME company on you, your chicken or your poodle, it's open season on that particular coyote. Go ahead and BEEP, BEEP him with your BANG, BANG.

Just make sure to tell the good folks at the Division of Fish and Wildlife you did it. They're keeping score.

Hunters 1, Coyotes 0

Read Only in Delaware daily in The News Journal and share in the Only in Delaware conversation 24/7 on delawareonline. Contact Jeffrey Gentry at jgentry@delawareonline. Follow him on Twitter: @jeffreygentry